A Slice of the Pie of Life

Jumping on the Blogging Bandwagon0

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.” -Carl Sagan

As I’ve touched upon before, one of the greatest aspects of attending Cornell is interacting with a community of individuals who all strive for intellectual achievement. Professors are a critical component of this group, and at Cornell, we are lucky to have many excellent teachers – including some who are rather famous.

Although I never had the chance to study with Carl Sagan, he is surely one of the most well known professors to have taught at Cornell. Today, bloggers everywhere are honoring his memory and achievements. Continuing on with Sagan’s legacy, the Space Science department is an excellent one at Cornell and is involved in exciting research, like the Mars rover expedition. So, here is to a great Cornell faculty member – and the many others to come!

Posted: Winter 2006/2007

They Say All Good Things Must Come To An End . . .0

“Flash! Bam! Alakazam! And goodbye!” -Nat King Cole

My final days in DC have been full of last minute sightseeing and lots of walking. Yesterday, I went to the National Zoo. The highlight was seeing Tai Shan, the baby Giant Panda – what a cutie!

Next, I walked over to the Washington National Cathedral. I’d run to this spot before, but I actually never went inside. The grounds of the Cathedral are very beautiful with peaceful, little gardens that feel removed from the hubbub of the city. The Cathedral itself is also very attractive; many of the stain glass windows depict interesting historical figures or stories not necessarily of religious significance. And it’s so large the Washington Monument could be laid on its side and practically fit inside!

After spending some time at the Cathedral, I walked the few miles home along Massachusetts Avenue. This is one of my favorite streets in the city; the sides are lined with embassies and many other unique buildings. I also walked down to the National Mall today, a bit of a trek, but totally worth it. On a nice sunny day, there is no better way to see the city.

Today, I had lunch with my friend Susan who graduated last year. It was great to get a post Cornell perspective and hear about her fabulous life in DC.

Afterwards, I went over to the East Building of the National Gallery of Art. This building holds the modern art collection and also special exhibits. I liked some of the works on display, but I personally prefer the older pieces located in the West Building, where I’ve spent most of my time this semester.

With a little daylight to spare, my last stop was the National Archives. Some of the highlights included the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I also enjoyed the display on one of my favorite childhood authors, Laura Ingalls Wilder!

As of 5pm today, my Metro card is officially zeroed out and I’m feeling a bit museum overloaded. However, walking around the city earlier, I had time to think about my experience here over the past several months. Maybe all good things must come to an end . . . but maybe it also provides an opportunity for people to go out, to use what they learned, to engage in other great experiences and to come back again. Just a thought.

Ok, enough of the goodbye DC sappiness – it has been a great semester, but I’m pretty excited to have a vacation!

Posted: Fall 2006

To You, Good Sir, I Must Apologize0

“My neighbor asked if he could use my lawnmower and I told him of course he could, so long as he didn’t take it out of my garden.” -Eric Morecambe

Dear Sir in the Apartment Across O Street,

Good Sir, I am deeply sorry. I know the last few days I haven’t been the most hospitable of neighbors. I have to take full responsibility for the situation considering all of my roommates and most of my friends have departed from the beloved CIW Center.

Fine Sir, the last day, you’ve had to endure me dancing and grooving around the room to Destiny’s Child and Nelly. You’ve had to put up with the fire alarm endlessly sounding because of my smoking oven. I truly apologize, as it took some serious cooking and creativity to figure how to use 4 chicken breasts, 2 rolls of cookie dough and enough cheese to feed an entire nation lasagna for 6 months.

Excellent Sir, you may ask yourself, why does this young woman twist and turn and bake and burn? Well, with this, I can help – it’s all about the paper. Yesterday, while having her final original research paper on how tort law influences health care costs (yeah, I’m kind of scared too) bound at a nearby store, she noticed a few scraps of paper in her purse. With her last bits of energy after some late nights, she pitched the paper over the wide counter into the looming trashcan – and hit nothing but plastic (bag). She even got a “Nice Shot,” from a bystander.

So, Superior Sir, it’s all about the paper. The just turned in paper, or the LeBron James wannabe skills – you decided which has spurred her Granco bars (a Gusz baking specialty) and grooves of late.

Yours in All Things O Street,

Nikki

Posted: Fall 2006

Last DC Weekend0

“All are needed by each one; nothing is fair or good alone.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s crazy to think that my time here in Washington is quickly coming to a close. As with the end to every semester, it is currently a busy mix of friends and final papers.

One of the highlights of the weekend was an eclectic spot called Busboys and Poets. A combination restaurant, bar, bookstore and jazz club, part of the mission of Busboys and Poets is to provide a ” . . . place for people who believe that social justice and peace are attainable goals. . . . Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.”

One of my favorite parts of the location was a huge mural on the wall. It featured historic figures who are typically revered for their contributions to social equality, but others who also presented challenges to this goal. The mural also included some notable quotations relating to this theme. A great atmosphere, jazz, food and conversation helped contribute to some new memories.

Most of my friends are leaving in the next day or so after our big paper is due. I’ll be in DC through Friday to wrap up a few things at work. It’ll be strange being here without all of them. But I can’t complain too much, since Hudson is covered in snow, and I’ve only seen a few flurries here at DC Beach.

Oh Ithaca, I can’t wait for what you’ve got in store for me.

Posted: Fall 2006

And Sometimes, There Are No Words0

“First they came for the socialists,

and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I did not speak out -

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me-

and there was no one left to speak for me.”

-Attributed to Martin Niemoller

This past week, I went the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This is not a place I can lucidly describe, but one I think it is valuable for every person to experience at some point in their lives. The sights, sounds and smells are subjects I can’t do justice to with words.

My friend BC pointed out that our generation is one of the last that will know Holocaust survivors. The lessons of this horrific atrocity, no matter how distant or unlikely they may seem – are ones we can’t ever let slip away.